A Cooperative Extension Service pioneer, innovator, and educator, John Baptist Pierce was appointed in 1906 by Seaman Knapp and H.B. Frissell of Hampton Institute as the first Negro farm demonstration agent for Virginia. Pierce served for 35 years as district agent for Virginia and North Carolina and as the United States Department of Agriculture field agent for the upper southern states. Pierce's "Live-at-Home and Community Improvement Program" was a unique innovation which helped many rural Virginians raise their standards of living.

Marker Information:

Year On Marker: 1983

Region: Tidewater RegionGeographic Location: HamptonPhysical Description of Location: Hampton, VA 23669. Located on Settlers Landing Road (Hwy 60), less than 1/5 of a mile west of the intersection of Settlers Landing Road (Hwy 60) and I-64. Marker is on the left when traveling west on Settlers Landing Road (Hwy 60).